Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen (left) updated Albertans on the status of the province's food supply chain Thursday morning (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Stop panic buying

Food supply chain strong in Alberta, stop unnecessary hoarding: Dreeshen

Mar 26, 2020 | 12:45 PM

Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry is re-iterating what Premier Jason Kenney and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw have said many times in the past: there is no need to panic buy and hoard goods and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devin Dreeshen made the remarks during a press conference Thursday morning, where he reconfirmed that the province’s food supply chain is not running low and that the provincial government is regularly monitoring what is needed to ensure that the supply chain remains strong.

“Food is essential and we are in constant contact with our food suppliers and we will do whatever it takes to keep them open. I want to assure all Albertans that our food supply will remain safe, secure and accessible.”

Dreeshen said that in speaking with major retailers in the province, most stores are seeing a 50% increase in total sales since the beginning of March, while sales per customer have doubled.

This has led to a surge in demand, which in turn has led to the quick emptying of many items on store shelves, like canned goods, pasta, meat and produce, which leads many to become concerned that stock is running low.

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Dreeshen said all that means is that stores need more time to re-stock the shelves, and more patience may be needed as they wait for those items to be delivered.

“The system is intact, and people should be mindful of irrational panic buying, and the effect it has on their neighbours.”

Dreeshen also announced the province is officially requesting the federal government to declare the entire food supply chain as an essential service, to ensure there would be no disruptions to the flow of goods onto store shelves should further public health mandates come down from Ottawa.

This would deem truck drivers, farmers, ranchers, grocery store employees and rail systems essential, among others, and would allow them to operate as normal during the health crisis.

He added that on top of that request, the province will continue to advocate to keep the border between Canada and the United States open to the supply chain and keep truck drivers exempt from the 14-day self-isolation period upon crossing the border.

“To be clear, Alberta’s food supply is well established and it will maintain. Alberta’s food production and distribution systems are diverse and stable.”